Yamile ducked through a low cut in a chain link fence to enter the new school site for La Providencia. The direct sunlight in the treeless lot was like an assault in the 103 degree heat, and I kept backing into the shade along the property line as she talked. The soil looked good despite the trash strewn everywhere, and I was relieved to see this was domestic trash, diapers and plastic bottles, rather than old tires or industrial waste. They say the ground is safe for growing food and that seems reasonable; this is a rural area with open fields and horses grazing nearby.

 

Along the edge of the lot small structures house recent immigrants from Paraguay and other countries as well as Argentinean campesinos. Some have attractive gardens where I saw blooming roses as well as corn, lettuce, tomatoes, celery, peppers, zucchini and other squashes. These surround homes of corrugated steel, cement block, plywood and other found and salvaged materials. Most appear to have electricity, and for water I saw a couple of hand pumps. I’d expected more crowding and less greenery, so despite the poverty and trash the area had an agreeable feel to it. The neighbors were friendly and welcoming.

 

This is the only school in the area and it’s grown organically to meet the needs of the new community. Yamile and her sister Maria began organizing classes for children and adults 7 years ago to teach practical skills like sewing and cooking. Today they teach local children a full Waldorf curriculum in a two-bedroom house in a lot immediately adjacent to the new site.

 

With just one bathroom in the current school for 100 students and 12 teachers, and classes squeezed into hallways and closet-sized rooms, they’re more than ready to expand next door. The current school will become the kindergarden and all other classes will move to a new building, which will be constructed starting in March. My timing is perfect because they have no landscape plans and only a rough idea of how to lay out plantings, outdoor classrooms and gardens.

 

Yamile’s sister Maria is the school’s director, but since she’s away for the month I’ll work with Yamile and others in her family to plan and build the gardens. No one seems concerned about group process; apparently it’s ok to lay out plans with those who happen to be in town, and start construction before Maria’s return. An interesting surprise for her...

 

I met Yamile here in San Isidro this afternoon, then hired a taxi for the round-trip drive to the school. The driver waited for us while we toured the site and talked over plans. Yamile will email plot plans and construction drawings as soon as she can track down the architect. In the meantime I’ll start sketching out ideas for garden layouts and look for affordable sources of salvaged lumber to construct pergolas and furniture.

 

I can easily imagine myself staking out gardens at this site, then picking out trash and turning the soil with a shovel or pitchfork. This is going to work!